Underwater demolition device

ABSTRACT

A device for attaching an explosive charge to an underwater portion of a sea-going vessel including an adhesive substance having a suitable chemical material therein adapted to react with sea water and initiate an exothermic reaction which melts the adhesive substance and bonds the device and any connected explosive charge to the hull of the vessel.

Elaited Mates Patent [191 Daughenbaugh [45] A 6, 1974 [54] UNDERWATERDEMOLITION DEVICE 3,367,233 2/1968 Silvcrschotzt 89/15 [76] Inventor:Raymond S. Dauglienbaugh, 4601 S.

13" SL, Oxnard, Calif. 93030 Primary Examiner-EamueWB EngleW R h dAttorney, Agent, or "irm axtcr arncr; ic ar [221 Wed: 1968 s. Sciascia;J. M. St. Amand [21] Appl. No.: 756,351

[57] ABSTRACT (gl. IOZ/IFFEbI A device for attaching an explosive Chargeto an un [58] Fieid 18 2 7 derwater portion ofa sea-going vesselincluding an ad- 6 hesive substance having a suitable chemical materialtherein adapted to react with sea water and initiate an [56] ReferencesCited exothermic reaction which melts the adhesive substance and bondsthe device and any connected explo- UNITED STATES PATENTS sive charge tothe hull of the vessel. 1,755,797 4/ 17930 Schwenke 102/7 321109210/1965 Smith 102/18 8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PAHNTEB AUG 81974INVENTOR. RAYMOND S. DAUGHENBAUGH A TTORNEYS UNDERWATER DEMOLITIONDEVICE The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by orfor the Government of the United States of America for governmentalpurposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The presentinvention relates generally to a heat responsive attachment mechanismand specifically to a metallized adhesive means responsive to heat whichis adapted to bond an explosive charge to a sea going vessels hull.

2. Description of the Prior Art Devices for attaching various objects tounderwater structures are faily commonplace. While such prior bondingdevices are a definite improvement in the art, they have generallyproved to be unreliable in operation and are thus completelyunsatisfactory as a means to bond explosives to underwater surfaces.Many of the prior devices employ the principle of magnetism as theattachment means and accordingly would be inoperative on vessels havinga wooden hull. Other devices are suitable only for use on dry structuresand have little holding or bonding power when applied on wet objects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention involves generally anattachment means for bonding an explosive'charge to an underwatersurface in which an adhesive substance affixed to the charge is softenedand partially melted by a controlled exothermic chemical reaction withthe heat of reaction being transmitted evenly throughout the adhesive bya metallic material embedded therein. After termination of the reaction,the adhesive congeals and forms a strong bond between the explosivecharge and the underwater surface.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an improvedmeans of attaching an explosive charge to a desired underwater surface.

Another object of the invention is to provide an adhesive means which isresistant to the effects of water and readily bonds to underwatersurfaces.

Another object is to provide a simple and efficient means for bonding anexplosive charge to a desirable underwater surface.

Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description of the inventionwhen considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an elevational view of anexplosive charge with the bonding means of the present inventionattached thereto.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the invention as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawingswherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout theseveral views, reference numeral denotes the explosive charge intendedto be attached by means of the present bonding device 12 to the surfaceof an underwater object. The charge is generally hemispherical or domeshaped in appearance and has the present bonding device affixed to theunder portion 14 thereof substantially as shown in the drawings. Othercharge configurations may be employed to obtain the maximum benefitsdepending upon the type of explosive used and the ultimate purposethereof. However there is preferably a time delay, well known in theart, built within the charge 10 to allow a safe period of time to elapseprior to actual explosion thereof, which allows the person handling thedevice sufficient time to escape.

As shown best in FIG. 3, the bonding device 12 is circular in overallconfiguration and has a central opening therein allowing the blast fromthe explosive charge 10 an unobstructed path to the object on which itis bonded. As illustrated, the device includes an adhesive substance 16preferably an epoxy resin in which a hollow heat dissipation tank 18having a central chamber is conveniently embedded. A hollow tube 20forming the passageway 21 extends outwardly from the dissipation tank toproject its outer end a suitable distance beyond the exterior of theadhesive substance 16 and a removable cover 22 seals the tube againstthe entrance of any ambient water. However, at the time the explosivedevice is to be utilized, the cover 22 is removed by a frogman or diverpermitting water to be channeled through the passageway 21 of tube 20and into tank 18. Since a suitable chemical material has eitherpreviously been positioned in the tank 18 or placed therein at the timethe cover 22 is removed, the addition of water to the tank causes anexothermic reaction which heats up the adhesive substance 16 topartially melt the same and form a strong bond with the submerged shipshull or other surface against which it has been positioned.

Dispersed throughout the plastic adhesive substance 16 is a metal heatexchanger 24, such as wire foil or the like which facilitatesdistribution of heat from exothermic chemical reaction rapidly anduniformly throughout the adhesive thus assuring that sufficient heatwill be available to create the liquid bonding effect.

A flexible heat shield 26 is positioned on the upper surface of theadhesive 16 and serves both to hold the exothermic heat in and aroundthe adhesive mass and to insulate the explosive charge 10 therebypreventing a possible premature firing thereof.

A thin sealing lip 28 positioned on both the inner and outer bottomedges of the adhesive substance 16 permits application of the device 12on uneven surfaces and in general aids in contouring the adhesive 16 tothe shape of the attaching surface.

Thus in summary it is believed readily apparent that the bonding deviceaffixed to a charge 10 operates as follows: a frogman or diver removesthe cover 22 and places a suitable chemical substance in the tank 18 viathe channel 20. Water may then be permitted to enter the tank and anexothermic reaction is initiated, the heat of which is distributedevenly through the plastic adhesive 16 by the metal foil 24 to partiallymelt the same and effectuate a strong underwater bond between theexplosive charge 10 and the object to which it is to be attached. A heatshield 26 assures that the heat is retained in the adhesive and awayfrom the charge.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention arepossible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. An underwater device for bonding an explosive charge to an objectcomprising:

a mass of material having adhesive characteristics when softened by theapplication of heat;

means for raising the temperature of the mass to thereby increase itsadhesive characteristics during application to an object,

the mass being disposed between the explosive charge and the object towhich it is to be attached, said mass having a central opening to permitthe blast from the explosive charge an unobstructed path to the objecton which it is bonded; and

a heat shield positioned between the explosive charge and the adhesivemass to insulate said charge from premature firing thereof.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the mass of adhesive material isemployed as the means for bonding the explosive charge to an underwatersurface.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the heat from a controlled exothermicchemical reaction is the means for raising the temperature of theadhesive mass.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein a metal foil heat exchanger is embeddedin the adhesive mass for distributing the heat rapidly and evenlythroughout said mass.

inserting in a suitable manner a flexible heat shield between theadhesive material and the explosive charge; heating the adhesivematerial by a controlled exothermic chemical reaction within theadhesive to thereby increase its adhesive characteristics; and

adhering the adhesive material with the attached explosive chargeagainst an object.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein is included the step of distributingthe heat more rapidly throughout the adhesive material by incorporatinga suitable heat exchanger therein.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein said controlled exothermic chemicalreaction is initiated by the step of adding water to suitable chemicalspositioned within the adhesive material.

1. An underwater device for bonding an explosive charge to an objectcomprising: a mass of material having adhesive characteristics whensoftened by the application of heat; means for raising the temperatureof the mass to thereby increase its adhesive characteristics duringapplication to an object, the mass being disposed between the explosivecharge and the object to which it is to be attached, said mass having acentral opening to permit the blast from the explosive charge anunobstructed path to the object on which it is bonded; and a heat shieldpositioned between the explosive charge and the adhEsive mass toinsulate said charge from premature firing thereof.
 2. The device ofclaim 1 wherein the mass of adhesive material is employed as the meansfor bonding the explosive charge to an underwater surface.
 3. The deviceof claim 1 wherein the heat from a controlled exothermic chemicalreaction is the means for raising the temperature of the adhesive mass.4. The device of claim 1 wherein a metal foil heat exchanger is embeddedin the adhesive mass for distributing the heat rapidly and evenlythroughout said mass.
 5. The device as defined in claim 3 wherein: atank is embedded in the adhesive material, said tank having a tubeconnected thereto and opening to the outside of the adhesive material;and
 6. The method of bonding an underwater explosive charge to an objectcomprising: attaching a mass of adhesive material to a suitableexplosive charge, said mass having a central opening to permit the blastfrom the explosive charge an unobstructed path to the object on which itis bonded; inserting in a suitable manner a flexible heat shield betweenthe adhesive material and the explosive charge; heating the adhesivematerial by a controlled exothermic chemical reaction within theadhesive to thereby increase its adhesive characteristics; and adheringthe adhesive material with the attached explosive charge against anobject.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein is included the step ofdistributing the heat more rapidly throughout the adhesive material byincorporating a suitable heat exchanger therein.
 8. The method of claim6 wherein said controlled exothermic chemical reaction is initiated bythe step of adding water to suitable chemicals positioned within theadhesive material.